Georges and Mireille Olioso, le Mail, 26230 Grignan (France)

georges.oliosoATwanadoo.fr

After Western, Northern and Eastern Cape provinces in 1997 then the Kruger and St Lucia in 2002, we made a new trip in South Africa. This year, we went to North West Province and Limpopo. We stay one week at Kwa Maritane, a lodge in the Pilanesberg N.P. and two in Mabalingwe N. R.

This two lodge are very nice and birds and mammals are numerous near the chalets.

The weather was also very fine, but a little cold all the mornings in the first week. There was no rain but one day on the second week.

We visited 4 sites.

1-Pilanesberg National Parc

            A very nice place, with varied habitats (one big and other smaller lakes, grasslands, bushveld, etc.). Big mammals are numerous and Elephants, Giraffes, Rhino, Hippo and Lions easy to watch. There are also some Crocodiles and numerous water turtles. Common birds are Little Grebe, Black-shouldered Kite, Swainson's and Crested Francolins, Blacksmith and Crowned Plover, Grey Lourie, Pied Kingfisher, Black-collared and Crested Barbets, Rufous-naped Lark, etc. We saw also some other good birds like Kori Bustard, Coqui Francolin, Whiskered Tern, Giant Kingfisher, Common Scimitarbill, Black-faced Waxbill, African Quailfinch, etc.

            Very good restaurant at Kwa Maritane Lodge !

2-Mabalingwe Nature Reserve

            Also very nice lodge. Habitats are least varied. Mammals are also numerous and we saw an African Wild Cat. This place is very good for small birds (Jameson's and red-billed Firefinch, Violet-eared and Blue Waxbills, Cut-throat, Scaly-feathered and Melba Finches and Golden-breasted Bunting). We saw also Verreaux's, Wahlberg's and Fish Eagles and Black-breasted Snake-Eagle, Striated Heron, Spotted Eagle-Owl, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Purple Roller, Sabota Lark, Marico Sunbird, etc.

            Good buffet breakfast at the restaurant !

3-Nylsvley Nature Reserve

            We stayed only 5 hours, but 2 or 3 days should be better ! This place was very dry but we saw some water birds like Goliath Heron, Comb Duck, Black Rail and African Reed-Warbler. We heared (not saw) 1 Kurrichane Buttonquail...

4-Rust de Winter Nature Reserve

            We made 2 visits. Numerous water birds with Comb Duck, African Pygmu Goose, Fish Eagle (a pair building a nest), African Jacana, Black Crake, African Rail, African Purple Gallinule, etc. A very good place. En route between Mabalingwe and Rust de Winter we saw (3 times) a Secretarybird.

Species lists

Birds

Species order is Roberts 7 (Roberts Multimedia Birds of Southern Africa).

1. Ostrich Struthio camelus. Mabalingwe : 8, 23/09/09. 20/09/09 : 3 adults + 11/09 pulli. 22/09, 2  Nylsvley N.R.
2. Coqui Francolin Peliperdix coqui. 4,  08/09, Pilanesberg.
3. Crested Francolin Dendroperdix sephaena. Common Pilanesberg, Mabalingwe and Rust De Winter.
4. Natal Francolin Pternistis natalensis. Abundant every where and very tame.
5. Swainson's Francolin Pternistis swainsonii. Abundant.
6. Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris. Common, but least than the former species.
7. White-faced Duck Dendrocygna viduata. Common Pilanesberg. ± 30 Nylsvley, 22/09.
8. White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus. 2, Rust De Winter, 21/09.
9. Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa. Male, 6/09, in front of Makwe Dam hide, Pilanesberg.
10. Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus. Everywhere there is water. Pair with 7 pulli, 18/09, Gorcum Dam, Mabalingwe. Pair with 3 pulli, 22/09, Nylsvley.
11. Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis. Pilanesberg and Nylsvley. 1 flying, 23/09 between Warmbaths and Radium.
12. Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos. One, without knob, Rust De Winter, 21/09 and 23/09. Another, Nylsvley, 24/09.
13. African Pygmy-Goose Nettapus auritus. 5, Rust De Winter, 21/09 and 4 (1 male), 23/09.
14. African Black Duck Anas sparsa. One, 13/09, Gorcum Dam, Mabalingwe.
15. Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata. Abundant Pilanesberg. Not seen Mabalingwe. Some Rust De Winter, 21/09 and Nylsvley 22/09.
16. Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha. Only 3, 21/09, Rust De Winter and 22/09 Nylsvley.
17. Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma. Male, 22/09 Nylsvley and Rust De Winter 23/09.
18. Kurrichane Buttonquail Turnix sylvatica. One heared 5 mn, 22/09 Nylsvley.
19. Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor. 11/09, 14/09 and 20/09, Rhino Pan, Mabalingwe.
20. Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens. Male 7/09 Kwa Maritane ; pair 11/09 and male 13/09 Mabalingwe Lodge ; male 18/09 Gorcum Dam Mabalingwe.
21. Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus. Very common in Mabalingwe.
22. Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus. Seen every days.
23. Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii. Common.
24. Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus. Very tame. Noisy and common.
25. Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas. Idem.
26. African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus. Widespread but non very common.
27. African Hoopoe Upupa africana. Widespread in small number..
28. Green Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus. Beautiful bird. Pilanesberg and Mabalingwe.
29. Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas. One 5/09 Kwa Maritane. Another 22/09 Nylsvley.
30. Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudata. Common along the roads and in open habitats.
31. Purple Roller Coracias naevia. One 17/09 Mabalingwe.
32. Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata. One Mabalingwe 17/09 small lake near the Lodge then 3, 18/09 Gorcum Dam, Mabalingwe.
33. Brown-hooded Kingfisher Alcyon albiventris. Commn Pilanesberg, rare Mabalingwe.
34. Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima. Many Pilanesberg. One Mabalingwe.
35. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis. Widespread. Very common Pilanesberg. Noisy.
36. European Bee-eater Merops apiaster. 2 flying 17/09 Mabalingwe.
37. Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus. Common Mabalingwe, least common Pilanesberg.
38. White-backed Mousebird Colius colius. One, 10/09 between Doornfontein and Mabalingwe.
39. Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus. ± 10 together, 13/09 Mabalingwe.
40. Burchell's Coucal Centropus burchellii. Seen 6/09 and 9/09 Pilanesberg. 2, 21/09 Rust De Winter and 1 22/09 Nylsvley.
41. African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus. ± 10 7/09 Pilanesberg. One 21/09 Rust De Winter and 2 22/09 Nylsvley.
42. African Black Swift Apus barbatus. 4, 6/09 Pilanesberg.
43. Little Swift Apus affinis. Seen 7/09 and 8/09 Pilanesberg and 17/09 Mabalingwe. Some breeding pairs under the bridges Pienaarsrivier 21/09 and 23/09.
44. Grey Lourie Corithaixoides concolor. Very common and very tame in the lodges.  
45. Barn Owl Tyto alba. One every morning Kwa Maritane.
46. African Grass-Owl Tyto capensis. One 5:30 a.m., 23/09 between Warmbaths and Radium.
47. Spotted eagle-Owl Bubo africanus. One 18/09 Mabalingwe.
48. Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum. Two singing 20/09 Mabalingwe. One 22/09, camp site, Nylsvley, 7 a. m.
49. Feral Pigeon Columba livia. Rare but Warmbaths. Also Pretoria.
50. Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea. Common Mabalingwe. Least common Kwa Maritane and Pilanesberg.
51. Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis. The commonest and more widespread species. Very abundant early morning along the roads.
52. Cape Turtle-Dove Streptopelia capicola. Common and widespread.
53. Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata. Not seen in Pilanesberg.
54. Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospilos. More heared than seen ! Mabalingwe and Rust De Winter.
55. Namaqua Dove Oena capensis. Pair 19/09 Mabalingwe, male 22/09  Nylsvley and female 21/09 Pienaarsrivier.
56. Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori. Two 8/09 Pilanesberg.
57. Northern Black Korhaan Eupodotis afraoides. Two in flight near Rust De Winter 23/09.
58. Red-crested Korhaan Eupodotis ruficrista. male 19/09 Mabalingwe and 21/09 near Rust de Winter.
59. African Rail Rallus caerulescens. One seen twice 21/09 Rust De Winter.
60. Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris. One 18/09 and 19/09 Mabalingwe. Two 21/09, Rust De Winter and 3 here 23/09. 22/09, pair and juvenil Rust De Winter.
61. African Purple Gallinule Porphyrio madagascarensis. Some 21/09 Rust De Winter (with a pair + 1 pullus).
62. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus. Rarely seen. One 7/09 Pilanesberg, another 17/09 Mabalingwe Gorcum Dam, 4, 21/09 and 6, 23/09 Rust De Winter ; 3, 22/09 (pair with a very young pullus) Nylsvley.
63. Red-kobbed Coot Fulica cristata. 82 together 23/09 Rust De Winter.
64. African Snipe Gallinago nigripennis. One 23/09 Rust De Winter.
65. Greenshank Tringa nebularia. Only seen in Pilanesberg with maximum 2, 7/09.
66. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola. Pilanesberg, Mabalingwe and Nylsvley. Always 1 bird.
67. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos. Only one Pilanesberg 7/09 and 9/09.
68. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea. One Rust De Winter 21/09.
69. African Jacana Actophilornis africanus. Commun Rust De Winter and Nylsvley.
70. Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris. Commn Pilanesberg. At least 2 pairs Mabalingwe (Gorcum Dam).
71. Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus. Seen everywhere near water. Incubating birds seen 9/09 Pilanesberg and 17/09 Mabalingwe.
72. Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus. Common, also along the roads in short grass areas. Seen everywhere.
73. Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus. Only near Johannesburg (numerous at the airport car park) and Pretoria.
74. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus. One 7/09 Pilanesberg (Mankwe Dam).
75. White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus. 4, 6/09 Mankwe Dam (Pilanesberg). At least 25, 21/09 Rust De Winter and ± 15 here 23/09.
76. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus cæruleus. Very common and widespread.
77. African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer. One immature 18/09 Mabalingwe. Pair 21/09 and 23/09 Rust De Winter building a nest.
78. Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres. At least 3, 22/09 Nylsvley. 12 other vultures here, but not identified (too far).
79. Black-breasted Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis. Adulte 18/09 Mabalingwe.
80. Gabar Goshawk Melierax gabar. One 23/09 Rust De Winter.
81. Shikra  Accipiter badius. One (male probable), 18/09 Mabalingwe.
82. Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii. Adult 13/09 and 18/09 Mabalingwe.
83. Wahlberg's Eagle Aquila wahlbergi. One 15/09 Mabalingwe.
84. Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius. One 8/09 Pilanesberg. One between Pienaarsrivier and Rust De Winter 21/09. One in flight 23/09 between Radium and Warmbaths.
85. Dabchick Tachybaptus ruficollis. Common. >30 Mankwe Dam, Pilanesberg, 6/09 and at least 60, 7/09 (total of birds seen on all the dams). At least 50 Rust De Winter 21/09 and 23/09.
86. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus. Only seen Rust De Winter where there is a pair with 3 pulli 21/09.
87. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis. Pilanesberg, one 6/09 and 7/09 Mankwe Dam.
88. African Darter Anhinga rufa. Widespread but not common. Maximum 8 Mankwe Dam (Pilanesberg) 7/09.
89. Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus. Very common and widespread.
90. White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus. Widespread. Three large pulli, Mabalingwe, 18/09.
91. Little Egret Egretta garzetta. Uncommon. Pilanesberg, max. 2, 7/09. One in flight between Warmbaths and Mabalingwe 20/09 and one 21/09 and 23/09 Rust De Winter.
92. Great Egret Ardea alba. Some birds in Pilanesberg. Two 22/09 Nylsvley. Rust De Winter, 2, 21/09 and 1, 23/09.
93. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea. Widespread in small number. Maximum 8, 6/09 Pilanesberg Mankwe Dam.
94. Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala. One Pilanesberg 9/09. Between Warmbaths and Radium, one 21/09 and two 23/09.
95. Goliath Heron Ardea goliath. One Nylsvley 22/09.
96. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea. One 21/09 Rust De Winter.
97. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. Only Rust De Winter and Warmbaths ; maximum 9 here 21/09.
98. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides. One 23/09 Rust De Winter.
99. Striated Heron Butorides striata. At least one every days Mabalingwe.
100. Little Bittern Ixobrichus minutus. Male 21/09 Rust De Winter.
101. Hamerkop Scopus umbretta. seen Kwa Maritane (there is a new nest here), Pilanesberg, Rust De Winter and between Pienaarsrivier and Warmbaths.
102. Hadeda Ibis Bostrychia hagedash. Widespread and noisy.
103. Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus. Rare here. Some in flight between airport and Pretoria 3/09, then 1 Pilanesberg 7/09.
104. African Spoonbill Platalea alba. Some Pilanesberg with maximum 5, 7/09. Adult 22/09 Nylsvley.
105. Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis. At least 3, 22/09 Nylsvley.
106. Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus. Kwa Maritane and Mabalingwe.
107. Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis. Common and widespread.
108. Brubru Nilaus afer. One 9/09 Pilanesberg.
109. Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla. Common and noisy. Seen everywhere.
110. Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala. One Mabalingwe. Three together 23/09 Rust De Winter.
111. Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis. Only one Pilanesberg and some Mabalingwe.
112. Southern Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus. Seen every days in small number.
113. Crimson-breasted Shrike Laniarius atrococcineus. Very tame. Seen every days in small number.
114. Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike Telophorus sulfureopectus. One 20/09 Mabalingwe.
115. Grey-headed Bush-Shrike Malaconotus blanchoti. Seen twice Mabalingwe, 14/09 and 19/09.
116. Chinspot Batis Batis molitor. Widespread and common
117. Cape Crow Corvus capensis. 2, 10/09 between Thabazimbi and Doornfontein.
118. Pied Crow Corvus albus. Seen everywhere in small number.
119. Common Fiscal Lanius collaris. Not common ! 22/09, 2 between Warmbaths and Nylstroom and 1 Nylsvley. One 24/09 R21/09 and R1 junction near Pretoria.
120. Magpie Shrike Corvinella melanoleuca. Common everywhere along the roads.
121. Southern Black Tit Parus niger. Only Mabalingwe where a pair was seen every days.
122. Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata. ± 15, Pilanesberg 7/09 and 8/09.
123. Greater Striped Swallow Hirundo cucullata. Only one 3/09 Kwa Maritane.
124. White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis. Seen only 8/09 and 9/09 Pilanesberg.
125. Lesser Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica. Widespread.
126. Red-breasted Swallow Hirundo semirufa. Widespread.
127. Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula. 5/09 and 9/09 Pilanesberg and 24/09 Johannesburg airport.
128. Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor. Abundant everywhere.
129. Fairy Flycatcher Stenostira scita. One 19/09 Mabalingwe. Probably a late wintering bird.
130. Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens. Seen every days.
131. Burnt-necked Eremomela Eremomela usticollis. 21/09, 2 in bush along the road between Warmbaths and Pienaarsrivier.
132. African Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris. One 21/09 Rust de Winter and another 22/09 (in song) Nylsvley.
133. Southern Pied Babbler Turdoides bicolor. Seen every days Mabalingwe.
134. Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii. Very common.
135. Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler Sylvia (Parisoma) subcaeruleum Common in bushes and low branches.
136. Cape White-Eye Zosterops virens. Common.
137. Lazy Cisticola Cisticola aberrans. One 7/09 Pilanesberg and 23/09 Rust de Winter.
138. Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana. Common.
139. Levaillant's Cisticola Cisticola tinniens. One 21/09 Rust de Winter.
140. Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla. Everywhere in small number.
141. Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus. One 21/09 Rust de Winter.
142. Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava.Widespread. Often near dry water courses.
143. Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans. One 7/09 Pilanesberg (not nuptial) and 10/09 near Pilanesberg airport (nuptial).
144. Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica. One 19/09 Mabalingwe and 23/09 Rust de Winter.
145. Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata. One 10/09 between Thabazimbi and Doornfontein and 17/09 Mabalingwe.
146. African Wren-Warbler Calamonastes fasciolatus. One 23/09 Rust de Winter.
147. Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana. Pilanesberg, Rust de Winter and Nylsvley. The more widespread Lark.
148. Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea. One (nuptial flight) 9/09 Pilanesberg.
149. Sabota Lark Mirafra sabota. One 15/09 Mabalingwe.
150. Kurrichane Thrush Turdus lyboniana. Common in undergrowth.
151. Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsipsirupa. One pair Kwa Maritane and another near the Mabalingwe entrance.
152. Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus. One 8/09 Pilanesberg and another 13/09 Mabalingwe.
153. Marico Flycatcher Bradornis mariquensis. Common Mabalingwe.
154. Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina. Every days Kwa Maritane. Only 2 Mabalingwe. 22/09 Nylsvley.
155. Grey Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus. Pair seen every days Mabalingwe, building nest last days.
156. White-throated Robin-Chat Cossypha humeralis. Widespread in dark undergrowth.
157. White-browed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys. Widespread.
158. Kalahari Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas paena. Seen three times Pilanesberg (pair at Pilanesberg Centre) and twice Mabalingwe.
159. African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus. Two males and one female 22/09 Nylsvley.
160. Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata. Abudant in burned places in Pilanesberg. (18 7/09).
161. Familiar Chat Cercomelas familiaris. Breeding pair near Mabalingwe reception (2 flying juv. 24/09). Also Pilanesberg.
162. Mocking Cliff-Chat Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris. A breeding pair in Mabalingwe, not on cliff but on roofs...
163. Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio. Only Kwa Maritane. Very Tame.
164. Cape Glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens. Common and widespread near lodges and in the bush.
165. Burchell's Starling Lamprotornis australis. Uncommon. Only near Warmbaths, from Mabalingwe to Pienaarsrivier and Nylsvley.
166. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis. Abundant in Warmbaths. Also seen Pilanesberg Center !
167. Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus. Common Pilanesberg on antilopes, rhinoceros and giraffes. Also in Mabalingwe.
168. Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina. Common  Mabalingwe.
169. White-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala. Abundant. Seen everywhere
170. Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis. Very beautiful bird ! Uncommon. Seen between Doornfontein and Mabalingwe, Mabalingwe and Nylsvley.
171. Scaly-feathered Finch Sporopipes suqmifrons. Widespread in grassy areas, always il small groups.
172. White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali. Pilanesberg, Mabalingwe and Nylsvley. In the last site, some pairs were building nests.
173. Lesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius. Male Kwa Maritane 3/09 and 4/09.
174. Southern Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus. Widespread but not very common.
175. Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus. Widespread and common. Two active colonies in Mabalingwe.
176. Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea. No nuptial birds. Groups with > 100 birds in Mabalingwe and Pilanesberg.
177. African Quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis. We saw this nice bird 6/09 in Pilanesberg. 5 birds were feeding on the ground in a burned grass area.
178. Cut-throat Finch Amadina fasciata. Pair 15/09 and 16/09 Rhino Waterhole Mabalingwe.
179. Black-faced Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos. Two drinking 9/09 Pilanesberg.
180. Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild. Abundant in reedbeds Rust de Winter and Nylsvley. Common at waterholes Pilanesberg and Mabalingwe.
181. Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina. Very beautiful bird !! Regular at Rhino waterhole Mabalingwe ; ± 12, 15/09.
182. Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis. Widesread and very common.
183. Melba Finch Pytilia melba. Widespread but not very common.
184. Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala. Common Pilanesberg, uncommon Mabalingwe.
185. Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia. Common andwidespread. It look very like Red-billed !
186. Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata. No nuptial birds seen. Pilanesberg, 3, 9/09. Probably numerous other birds not identified.
187. Shaft-tailed Whydah Vidua regia. Two, Pilanesberg 9/09. One 16/09 Mabalingwe. Probably numerous other birds not identified.
188. Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura. In small number between Johannesburg and Pretoria, Pilanesberg, Mabalingwe and Nylsvley.
189. House Sparrow Passer domesticus. Common in towns. Uncommon in Pilanesberg. Only one pair near Mabalingwe reception.
190. Great Sparrow Passer motitensis. Pilanesberg (building nest 6/09) and Mabalingwe (building nest 16/09).
191. Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus. Uncommon : Sun village, Pilanesberg Centre, Mabalingwe (rare) and Petroport (R21) where a pair was building nest.
192. Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus. Widespread and common.
193. Yellow-throated Petronia Petronia superciliaris. ± 20 near Mankwe Dam hide (Pilanesberg) 7/09. One 18/09 Mabalingwe.
194. Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis. Rare in Pilanesberg. One 10/09 between Thabazimbi and Doornfontein. Two 24/09 Petroport (R21).
195. African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus. 2, 6/09 Pilanesberg.
196. Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys. One 17/09 Mabalingwe.
197. Buffy Pipit Anthus vaalensis. One 7/09 Pilanesberg.
198. Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis. Several in Pilanesberg.
199. Bushveld Pipit Anthus caffer. Two 6/09 Pilanesberg and two 22/09 Nylsvley.
200. Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambicus. Widespread and abundant.
201. Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis. Seen Pilanesberg and Nylsvley.
202. Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi. Pilanesberg : 5 in a rocky area 9/09 ; 4, 22/09 Nylsvley with Golden-breasted.
203. Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris. Widespread in small number.

Mammals

Order from Smither's Mammals of Southern Africa.

1. Yellow House Bat Scotophilus dinganii. Common Kwa Maritane.
2. Tree Mouse Thallomys paedulcus. One, Kwa Maritane at night.
3. Tree Squirrel Paraxerus cepapi. Abundant Kwa Maritane and Mabalingwe.
4. Porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis. We only found some spines in Mabalingwe...
5. Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis. Seen twice (5 a.m .) Mabalingwe.
6. Jameson's red Rock Rabbit Pronolagus randensis. One, very early morning, Mabalingwe.
7. Elephant Loxodonta africana. Common in the Pilanesberg.
8. Burchell's Zebra Equus burchellii. Common in the Pilanesberg, some Mabalingwe.
9. White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum. Abundant in Pilanesberg, common Mabalingwe.
10. Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis. One female with a very young in Pilanesberg
11. Hippopotamus  Hippopotamus amphibius. Common in Pilanesberg. Some in Gorcum Dam, Mabalingwe.
12. Bushpig Potamocherus porcus. 16/09, two adults with 3 youngs in Mabalingwe.
13. Warthog Phacocherus aethiopicus. Abundant Pilanesberg and Mabalingwe where some are very (too !) tame.
14. Giraffe Girafa camelopardalis. Common Pilanesberg. Only saw 5 together in Mabalingwe.
15. Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus. Abundant Pilanesberg, common Mabalingwe. also Nylsvley.
16. Tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus. Some groups Pilanesberg. Also Mabalingwe and Nylsvley.
17. Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus. A small group around the chalets every evenings, Mabalingwe.
18. Impala Aepyceros melampus. Abundant Pilanesberg and Mabalingwe . Also seen Nylsvley and Rust de Winter.
19. African Buffalo  Syncerus caffer. Very good views 19/09 in Mabalingwe (a group of > 10 at a drinking place.
20. Kudu  Tragelaphus stepsiceros. Widespread Pilanesberg and Mabalingwe. Male, 23/09 Rust de Winter.
21. Nyala Tragelaphus angasii. Only seen in small number at Mabalingwe.
22. Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus. Only one, Mabalingwe.
23. Mountain Reedbuck Redunca fulvorufula. A small group, Mabalingwe.
24. Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus. Every days Pilanesberg and Mabalingwe.
25. Lion Panthera leo. Only in Pilanesberg. Two females 7/09 and a group (8 females and youngs) walking to the shadow 8/09.
26. African Wild Cat Felis lybica. One on the road, Mabalingwe, 19/09 (5:30 a.m.)
27. Black-backed Jacal Canis mesomelas. Some views in Pilanesberg. Only one in Mabalingwe.
28. Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata. Some in Pilanesberg.
29. Slender Mongoose Galerella « species ». Common Pilanesberg and Mabalingwe.
30. Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo. At least 15 feeding, Mabalingwe. e.
31. Chacma Baboon  Papio cynocephalus urcinus. Some groups, Pilanesberg and Mabalingwe.
32. Vervet Monkey Cercopithecus aethiops. Abundant and tiresome !

Reptiles

From Bill Branch's Field guide to the snakes and other reptiles of Southern Africa

We saw NO snake...

1. Helmeted Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa. Abundant in Pilanesberg.
2. Tree Agama Agama atricollis. Some in Mabalingwe.
3. Yellow-throated Plated Lizard Gerrhosaurus flavigularis. Common on the rocks and near the chalets, Mabalingwe.
4. Moreau's Tropical House Gecko Hemidatylus mabouia. Common in the chalets, Mabalingwe.
5. Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus. Uncommun, only in Pilanesberg and, perhaps, Rust de Winter and Mabalingwe.